Hear me now! I is largin' it with Madonna's posse

It's da big time, innit. Ali G, the spoof gangsta rapper, is 'keepin' it real' with Madonna in her latest video.

The leader of da Staines Massive travelled to Hollywood - and that's not the nightclub in Bracknell - to film the video for Music , the title track from Madonna's new album.

In his trademark yellow FUBU track-suit, wrap-around shades, chunky gold jewellery, and Tommy Hilfiger hat, Ali G - Cambridge graduate Sacha Baron-Cohen - stars alongside the pregnant pop queen. The single - described as a mix of pop, funk, techno and dance - will be released in August.

Madonna asked Baron-Cohen to perform with her after a friend sent her a copy of his Christmas Special - Ali G, innit . 'She watched the tape and thought he was brilliant - the Peter Sellers of our generation. We came up with the video idea, and she thought he would be great in it,' Madonna's manager Caresse Norman told The Observer .

Ali G flew to the US two weeks ago and shot the video in two days. 'It was all very professional. It was "Hi, how are you?" And then straight to work,' Norman said.

Madonna has told friends his performance is 'genius'. 'Madonna loves him. He is such a doll. She still can't stop laughing,' Norman said.

Ali G, who rarely speaks publicly about his work, does not sing or rap in the new video but has a central role. 'There is a strong storyline, but we are not saying what it is. We are keeping it under wraps because we don't want to spoil the surprise.'

Ali G is virtually unknown in America despite his decision to shoot much of his new solo Channel 4 show there, but Madonna is confident a global audience will enjoy his humour. 'You don't have to be British to get Ali G. Americans do understand irony. Ali G is comparable to Jim Carrey or Ben Stiller,' Norman said.

It is not the first time Madonna, who is having her second child with British film director Guy Ritchie, has cast TV or film-stars in her videos. She lap-danced with Austin Powers star Mike Myers in 'Beautiful Stranger'. In her latest film she cavorts with gay British star Rupert Everett as she sings the Don McLean 70s hit 'American Pie'.

Ali G has appeared with music stars in his new series using his 'mad mixing skills' to 'improve' songs by Supergrass, Chrissie Hynde and Travis.